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About Me

I am a fourth generation herbalist (as far as I have been able to trace) on both sides of my family tree. Besides raising five terrific children, my study and teaching of natural health has occupied me for the past thirty years.

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All information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. The reader assumes any risk for use of the information. Consult with a qualified holistic practitioner for personalized recommendations. Unless otherwise designated, the information has not been approved by the FDA.

30 January, 2009

(NaturalNews) Endometriosis is a painful condition affecting women during their reproductive years. Endometriosis is one of the most common reasons behind both infertility and chronic pelvic pain in women. Pregnancy often provides temporary relief from symptoms of endometriosis, although there is no documented cure at this time. The good news is that herbal and holistic treatments are very effective for controlling the symptoms of endometriosis and in many cases herbs are the best source of relief.

During every monthly menstrual cycle the tissue lining from the inside of the uterus builds up and is shed. This tissue is called the endometrial tissue. When endometriosis is present, this tissue grows and sheds outside of the uterus. This tissue then forms lesions that respond to the monthly cycle similarly to how the tissue from the uterus responds.

The symptoms of endometriosis generally persist during childbearing years and subside after menopause. Approximately 30-40 percent of women with endometriosis experience infertility issues.

The endometrial growth causes pain and other subsequent problems because the menstrual blood is expelled through the vagina but the blood and tissue from the endometrial growths result in internal bleeding and inflammation and eventually scar tissues are formed. These endometrial growths are not usually cancerous. Although the precise cause of endometriosis is not known, excess estrogen secretion may trigger this condition.

Conventional treatments involve surgery to remove the endometrial growth and/or ovaries and in extreme cases even a hysterectomy may be advised. Unfortunately, research has shown that patients undergoing hysterectomies for endometriosis sometimes experience a regrowth of lesions.

Common drugs prescribed to treat endometriosis are Danazol (a male hormone derivative), progesterone, and birth control pills. Danazol shrinks the existing tissue and prevents ovulation. Progesterone has various side effects and cannot offer permanent pain control. A possible link between dioxin exposure and endometriosis has been uncovered by the Endometriosis Association. Dioxin is a toxic byproduct created from pesticide manufacturing, paper products, and bleached pulp. To enable the body to flush out these toxins, magnesium can be effective.

Natural Ways to Improve Endometriosis Symptoms:

-Nettle and Saw Palmetto -- decrease the production of endometrial tissue.-Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids -- improve the immune system. A strong immune system will be able to destroy endometrial tissue as it accumulates in the body. Bioflavonoids help to relax muscles and reduce inflammation and pain.-Wild Yam -- When taken prior to ovulation this can reduce endometrial symptoms. Helps to balance menstrual bleeding.-Flax Seed Oil/Evening Primrose Oil/ Borage Oil -- Good sources of essential fatty acids that regulate the production of prostaglandin.-Inositol and Choline -- Help the liver to process estrogen. Too much estrogen can lead to endometriosis symptoms.-Phytoestrogens Vitex (chaste berry) and Dong Quai -- Hormone balancers may help reduce the build-up of endometrial tissue and the associated pain.-Vitamin B-6 and 5-HTP -- Help with the metabolism of essential fatty acids.

Source: http://www.healthynewage.com/endometriosis.html

---------------------------------------------I was diagnosed with endometriosis 3 decades ago. After dealing with it through prayer, herbs, nutrients, and diet changes I find myself with 5 wonderful children that the doctor said I would be unable to bear.

Based on my experience, I would add to the above list:-Probiotics -- normalize the environment in which the reproductive organs dwell.-Cut out sugar -- promotes a hostile environment for healthy tissues.-Eat organic fruits and veggies whenever possible -- they may cost more, but the long term cost to your health is not worth pinching pennies in the short run.-Avoid tampons (and perhaps disposable pads) -- The bleaching process introduces tons of toxins which are readily absorbed by the tender tissues.-Watch out for Pseudo Estrogens -- found in many processed products and especially in red meat.-Chamomile -- provided the best pain relief for me, even when prescription medications did not touch it. The scrips wreaked havoc with my system.- Another good source for essential fatty acids is a new product I have found, called Moxxor. It is made from green lipped mussels, hoki fish (much like salmon and krill, but without the heavy metal contaminants), and grape seed extract (for powerful anti-oxidant activity).

27 January, 2009

Hubby, our boys, and I went the weekend 'FireProof' was released in theaters. My 10 year old enjoyed it, too. He is still giggling about the salt and pepper shakers.

DH is a big movie buff, often taking the boys to see the newest release. I am quite discriminating when it comes to movies, so I do not often go with them. When I expressed an interest in seeing 'Fireproof,' he jumped at the chance to make it a family outing.

At first, Hubby was sure he would just endure 'FireProof' because it sounded like a chick flick to him. But he found himself drawn into the drama of it, even shedding a few tears on more than one occasion.

The movie opens on a very troubled marriage. Two people (Caleb and Catherine) who were once very much in love find themselves living totally separate lives. Sound like anyone you know? We found some of the dialog spookily familiar.

Both partners pretty much gave up on trying to save their marriage, even considering the Big D (divorce). I always admonish brides-to-be to strike the word from their vocabulary.

Enter a pair of 'meddling parents.' Thank God for them!

Caleb's parents recently found a new life in re-energizing their faith. This was handled in a way many may find a bit irritating. It is very evangelical Protestant in expression (let that part go - no movie is perfect).

Caleb's father pulls him aside and makes a dare: follow the program in this journal for 40 days before giving up completely on your marriage.

Caleb thinks the whole thing is hokey, but Dad won't take 'no' for an answer.

Caleb sets out on his quest. Unfortunately, Catherine does not respond as readily as he hoped. So Caleb gets discouraged.

Dad keeps urging him to continue, saying that when they used the program in their marriage, it was not originally successful either.

Catherine's co-workers give conflicting advice.

Caleb, however finds a amazing amount of support from some of his co-workers.

A number of complicating factors present themselves.

Hubby expected that this might be another man-bashing movie: it is always the man's fault that a marriage is in trouble and the poor clueless oaf has no recourse but to turn into a doormat to turn things around. In the end, he was gratified that Caleb became more of a hero for his striving.

Then there is a surprise revelation about the journal.

'Fireproof' played up the gender differences quite effectively. The editing in this regard was stunning.

Pick up a copy of the 'Fireproof' DVD and watch it, whether you are married or not. There are also a number of support materials for those who would like to improve their marriage, regardless of its current state of affairs (no pun intended).

26 January, 2009

Right in your hand you have a reminder of your best attitudes for success in your health goals!

☻ Your thumb reminds you to approach any predicament you encounter with a “thumbs-up” orientation. Even one that looks like failure can teach you something that you can then use to fine-tune your future actions.☻ Your pointer reminds you to direct all your actions toward your goal.☻ Your middle finger expresses your response to fear and discouragement.☻ Your ring finger reminds you to put your heart into your commitment to your goals.☻ Your little finger reminds you that God is in the details. Celebrate the little accomplishments. They add up over time. Simple things like a smile and a thank you can change your whole world or someone else’s.

24 January, 2009

The human body is meant to move. Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. You will improve your overall health, well-being, and quality of life. Any activity that gets your heart rate up and moves your muscles qualifies as physical activity. Some ideas to live a more active lifestyle are:

☻ Gardening. ☻ Cleaning your home.☻ Washing your car by hand.☻ Taking your children to a park and playing with them rather than sitting a watching them.☻ Climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator, especially if you are only going up or down a few floors.☻ Parking farther away from your destination than usual.☻ Skating.☻ Bicycling.☻ Walking briskly.☻ Bouncing on a mini trampoline.

Researchers at the University of South Carolina in Columbia found that people who had moderate to high levels of physical activity experienced 20-30% fewer colds than those with low activity levels. Regular physical activity promotes health in a number of ways:

☻ Improves the functioning of the digestive system.☻ Stimulates lymphatic flow which promotes elimination of toxins from the body.☻ Increases circulation and the efficiency of heart function.☻ Supports the immune system.

A key to getting in shape is determination and consistency. If you find it difficult to exercise for 30-minutes or more each day, just do five or ten minutes. Often you'll find it difficult to quit once you get started. Notice how your body responds to exercise and truly enjoy all the benefits of exercise. The more you focus on the benefits the easier it will be to motivate yourself to stick with your fitness plan.

20 January, 2009

Giving in to the urgings of the sweet tooth has farther reaching consequences than one might think. We know about the blood sugar roller coaster that results from that chocolate bar you crave. It turns out that the effects last for weeks, and may even effect future generations.

Australian scientists at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute study the impact of diet on human heart tissue and mice. The results of this study appear in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

The study showed that sugar consumption changes the way that the body responds to food. Sugar switches off genetic controls designed to protect the body against diabetes and heart disease. They found that cells show the effects of a one-time dose of sugar for fourteen days. If human genes remember a sugar hit for two weeks, imagine what happens when sugar consumption becomes a habit. Prolonged poor eating habits are capable of permanently altering DNA. This damaged DNA may be passed on to the next generation, putting into motion a downward spiral of poor health for posterity.

It would seem that the same may be true for other 'junk food' items. Put some serious thought into what you eat, and what you feed your family. We may regret our dependence on mass produced Franken Food for generations. Perhaps it is time we take back control of our families' health.

16 January, 2009

Many people feel intimidated at the prospect of making bread. Baking bread does not have to be a fussy or time consuming business. I like to fit bread making into my schedule, rather than vice-versa. It really only needs a few minutes of attention here and there. As you get more comfortable with the process, you will find that your bread choices are limited only by your imagination.

Always make more bread than you think you will use. Bread is a very sociable commodity. There is always someone to share a loaf of fresh baked bread. The following procedure will make three or four loaves, depending on how much it rises and the size of you loaves.

Ingredients

Liquids

The liquid ingredients need to be slightly acidic to support the growth of the yeast:

☻ Of course, plain water can be used. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for the yeast.☻ Rejuvalac (water in which wheat berries soaked for 2 days) gives the yeast an extra enzyme boost.☻ For extra protein, soured milk or whey makes a delightful loaf. Naturally soured milk works very well, but if you don’t have any, a teaspoon of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar in the bowl will produce just what you need.☻ Another choice: use left over water from cooking beans. Soy beans, however have chemicals that inhibit yeast growth, so any other beans will be a better choice.☻ Adding fruit juice makes a moist, sweet loaf that does not need any additional sweetener. Dilute half and half with plain water.☻ For 'pizza bread,' use half water and half tomato juice or tomato paste.

Fats

The fats in the dough help to support the gluten. It seems to seal in the little bubbles, so the loaf does not deflate as easily.

☻ Butter actually is best to provide support for the gluten.☻ A mild tasting vegetable oil, like sesame, grape seed, or coconut works nicely. ☻ Or, if you are making an herbed Italian loaf that will allow a stronger taste, try olive oil.

Be careful with oils that turn rancid easily, like safflower and sunflower. The heat required for cooking your loaf may be too much for them. The rancid oil will give the bread an off flavor, that may be none too pleasant.

Sweetener

Yeast requires a lot of energy for its growth. For that reason, some sort of sweetener is necessary. It will get some of its energy from the natural sugars in the grain, so you don’t need to go overboard, a little goes a long way. You can use anywhere from two tablespoons to half a cup in this recipe.☻ Blackstrap molasses provides both the yeast and the final consumer with the best nutritional profile. It is often used to grow the yeast commercially. Sometimes you will not find ‘blackstrap’ in your grocery store, it may be labeled robust or full flavored.☻ Barbados molasses can be used, as well, but it is much sweeter, so less is needed.☻ If you use honey, again in smaller quantities, it will act as a natural preservative, and your loaf will keep a day or two longer.☻ Stevia (use the green powder) sweetens without adding calories. The yeast seems to like it, for some reason I have not been able to determine, but the bread rises quite nicely with lower amounts of other sweeteners.☻ It is not necessary, or even desirable to use white cane sugar for your bread. It provides no real nutritional value for you or for the yeast.

Yeast

On the baking ingredients aisle you can find pre-measured yeast in those little yellow and red foil-lined packets. It is certainly convenient to use this product. You can get pre-measured, packaged yeast in the bakery aisle at the supermarket. At times, however, this is not as active as buying it loose and measuring it yourself. Buying it in bulk is more cost effective and decreases the amount of packaging required, resulting in less packaging to dispose. The yeast stays active for a very long time, as long as it is kept out of extreme heat. I bought 5 pounds when my kiddies were little and I was making bread every day. I kept it in a tub in the freezer most of the time. It survived several moves, when it was impossible to refrigerate the tub. My young 'uns are all grown now, and I just recently used it up and it was still quite enthusiastic.

Flour

Many, many seeds can be used for bread. Each gives a certain character to the bread. The texture and flavor of your loaves can be enhanced by mixing different flours. Of course, the best flours are made of the whole ground seeds. Whole grains make a denser loaf that lets you know you have really eaten something. If you must use white flour at first, mix it half and half with any other flour until your family's palates are trained to eat 'real bread.' Sometimes, it takes a while to work up to this.

☻ For the sake of the texture of your bread, wheat is far and above the best grain for the flour in you loaf. It is the gluten in the wheat that captures the carbon dioxide bubbles produced by the yeast. The bubbles are what makes the bread rise. Sixty to eighty per cent of the flour needs to be wheat. ☻ For a lighter loaf, you will want to add some gluten flour, especially if you are using less gluten rich flours later on. One tablespoon of gluten flour per cup of any other kind of flour is generally sufficient.☻ Rye is a traditionally used for dark, heavier loaves which remind many of 'the Old Country' for those of European descent. It contains a fair amount of gluten, although not as much as wheat. So, you can use a greater percentage of it in your loaves - up to a forty percent of the flour can be rye.☻ Oats provide a moisturizing influence on your bread, making a nice soft loaf. They, too contain some gluten, although it is a rather small amount. As much as a quarter of your flour can be oats. Oats absorb more moisture than other flours, so increase the liquid in your recipe or decrease the amount of your dry ingredients.☻ Rice flour also absorbs moisture, so keep this in mind when measuring. There is no gluten in rice, so use it for an eighth or less of your flour. It gives the bread a crispness that can be delightful, especially if you intend to eat it toasted.☻ Buckwheat is used in pumpernickel bread. It is more dense than most other flours. Use a small amount. Buckwheat makes a nice 'warming' loaf that is satisfying in the cold winter months.☻ Garbanzo beans can be ground easily in your blender to make flour. They give a slightly nutty flavor to the loaf. It is also a nice way to get a complimentary protein into the mix.☻ Soybeans are often touted for adding protein to bread. However, there is much controversy over the use of soybeans. This is not the place to address the controversy, so we will leave that for another time and place. Soybeans contain an enzyme which inhibits the growth of the yeast, so its use should be minimized. On a side note: much of the soybean crop is genetically modified, so it is mandatory that you use only organic soybeans.☻ Carob powder is often used in pumpernickel bread, too. It darkens the loaf and provides a mellowing influence.

Additional Ingredients

Salt controls the growth of the yeast. Too much or too little salt will not allow the yeast to grow properly. Half a tablespoon of salt is optimum for this size batch. Half a tablespoon of ginger can enhance the digestibility of the bread as well.

Here is where the real fun begins. You can add all sorts of flavor and nutrition to the bread. Amounts are for the recipe below. Adjust to the size of your batch.

☻ For traditional rye bread or pumpernickel, sprinkle in four tablespoons of caraway seeds. ☻ A Swedish rye results from adding 2 tablespoons of anise seed, 2 tablespoons of fennel seed, and 2 tablespoons of grated orange peel.☻ An omega rich loaf can be made by adding 3 tablespoons of flax or chia seed per loaf.☻ That pizza bread will want Italian spices: a tablespoon of thyme, two tablespoons of oregano, and three tablespoons of basil. Do not add garlic or onion at this point because they will retard the growth of the yeast. More later on adding flavors that are less yeast friendly.☻ Throw in a half cup of raw sunflower seeds.☻ Put a cup of raisins or dried fruit in for a sweet bread.☻ Add two to three tablespoons of rosemary. Better yet, roll your loaves in the rosemary after they are formed.☻ If you want a sweeter bread, add a tablespoon of green stevia powder.

The Basic Process

Start with a quart of room temperature or slightly warmer liquid. Add one-fourth to one-half cup of oil and an equal amount of sweetener. Measure them both in the same cup. The oil will help the sticky sweetener to slide out of the cup much easier. Then you can run a rubber spatula around the inside of the cup quickly to get the rest of the oil out.

Now that you have all the liquid ingredients assembled, it is time to introduce a tablespoon of active dry yeast to them. The recipe books from the past couple of generations ask you to soften the yeast in one half cup of warm water. That can still be done, if you desire. You can, however, skip that step and add it directly to your liquid ingredients if they are at room temperature. The yeast will get a jump start on absorbing the nutrients that will allow it to be strong and healthy as it builds your loaf. It takes ten minutes or so for the yeast to come out of its dormant state and begin to grow again. Since it is in a medium that will feed it, yo do not have to be strict about attending to the next step. It can be left for an hour or more without damage, You will come back to see lots of frothy bubbles.

Finally, it is time to add some flour a few cups at a time. Begin by adding four cups of flour to your yeast mixture. This is also the time to add your salt and ginger as well as whatever ‘extras’ you will put in your loaf. Now that you have all this stuff piled up on your poor yeast, mix it in until it is smooth. It will still be a very wet batter.

The next four cups of flour do not have to be wheat. Rye flour has enough gluten to comprise as much as forty per cent of the mixture. Other flours with less gluten need to be used sparingly – no more than a total of two cups in this recipe. Once these are mixed in, add the final two to four cups of flour, one at a time, mixing and observing the consistency of the dough. At this point, the dough should be still a bit sticky, but not gooey.

This part of the process offers the ultimate in flexibility. It is a good idea to allow the mixture to sit for an hour or more before kneading. It can sit for several hours, even overnight, until you get some time to spend kneading it. If it is left longer than, say, eight hours, it will start to take on a sour dough type flavor which will get stronger the longer it sits. During the down time, the bran, herbs, and seeds can absorb the amount of liquid that they will need during the rest of the process. When it comes time to knead your bread, you will know pretty closely the final texture of the bread and be able to adjust accordingly. The additional benefit is the fact that it takes less actually about half as much) time kneading to achieve the right elasticity of the loaf.

It is time to form your loaves. When dividing the dough, cut off pieces with a sharp knife so you don’t tear the gluten. Grease the insides of the pan either with butter or with a light vegetable oil. The spray on kind works well and does not leave a big mess.

Loaf pans get filled halfway, so there is plenty of room for the bread to rise and form a nice rounded top.

Without a pan, you can make the ever-popular ‘artisan loaf.’ These can be round or oblong with a gash across the top.

For an extra fancy presentation, try braiding your dough.

On the other hand you can make individual serving sized breads like rolls or buns of various sorts. With a rolling pin in hand, you can make pizza shells, pitas, or flat breads.

Once your bread is in the form in which you want it baked, you can add extra flavor by pressing into its crust those tasty morels that do not get along with the yeast: onion, garlic, or cinnamon.

Mmmm! Time for some cinnamon rolls!!!!

Sesame seeds add a nice nutty flavor to the loaf when pressed into the bread. You might want to decorate it with rolled oats and/or corn meal instead.

For a more tender crust, apply a little water to the top of your loaf. Be careful not to soak the loaf, only apply enough water to make the top look glossy. A pastry brush will be helpful in controlling the application of the water.

If you want a golden brown top. Spread a thin layer of butter on top of the loaf.

Let the formed loaves rise one more time--about an hour, depending on your indoor weather conditions.

If you are in a hurry you can actually let them rise in the oven as it warms. Many sources warn against this action because with white bread, the yeast will grow too fast exhausting the gluten and your loaf will collapse by the time there is sufficient heat to kill the yeast. However, with the well fed yeast and additional support you loaves will rise nicely and bake up fluffy.

Bread that has already risen will take 35 to 40 minutes in a pre-heated (325 degree Fahrenheit) oven depending on the size of your loaves. Rolls, of course will cook faster, more like 30 minutes. If you allow the loaves to rise as the oven is heating, allow 45 minutes to an hour for them to bake.

Test for done-ness by dumping the loaf out on the counter and thumping the bottom. An unfinished loaf will respond with a dull thud. Put it back in the oven immediately and cook for another five minutes, then test again. The fully baked one will sound hollow.

Let your loaves cool on the counter for ten minutes before cutting them.

To keep the crust moist, put them in their bag at this time. Many people feel that packaging them before they are cooled makes the crust soggy. Try it for yourself and decide which way you like best.

Enjoy pampering your family and friends with fresh baked home made bread. This method allows you to put it together on your time, rather than becoming a slave to the dough.

14 January, 2009

Everything you put in your mouth (or on your skin) has an effect on your body, for good or for ill - there is no neutral ground. Food can be like a powerful drug. It can have a chemical affect on our body and alter our emotional state.

To keep your mind clear and body in balance, eliminate foods high in refined sugar and unhealthy fats. Replace non-foods with high quality nutritious food. Go for colorful meals. Experiment with a variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Think of the rainbow when putting together a salad or vegetable tray. White is not only the absence of color, it generally indicates an absence of nutrition.

Your tongue, your palate, responds to the training you (or your parents) give it. Taste is a product of habit. The cause of a habit is repetition, so to change unhealthy habits, substitute something positive:

☻ Instead of coffee, start your day with a large glass (32 ounces - drink slowly, especially at first) of water with 1/2 a lemon squeezed into it. You have been without fluids for 8 to 10 hours or more. One of the signs of dehydration is lagging energy. If you have to sweeten it, add a touch of honey, agave, or (green) stevia, but decrease the amount from day to day to lessen your dependence on that burst of sweet.☻ Replace that doughnut in your morning snack with an apple or pear. You still get to satisfy your sweet tooth, but the extra nutrients and enzymes will keep you going longer.☻ Add darker leafy greens to your salad, rather than relying on iceberg lettuce, which loses any nutrition it has quickly after harvest.☻ Keep raw (not roasted or salted) nuts on hand for quick snacks instead of candy bars. The B vitamins and healthy fats in them will give your brain a boost.☻ Fill your refrigerator with a variety of cut up veggies or fruit. They will be easy snacks to grab (instead of chips) when you have the munchies. The crunch factor is still there, but with a lot more benefits.

You get the idea. Let your imagination take you to a better place in your health, through the food you eat.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General of the 2.2 million deaths in America each year, 1.8 million are diet related. Research shows that eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables protects you against cancer, heart disease, and the effects of aging.

12 January, 2009

☻ Bleaching Formula - Make a paste of cream of tartar or baking soda and H2O2 and apply to rust spot, let stand for about 30 minutes. Scrub with a sponge and rinse.☻ Chopping Board Stain Remover - Rub in 3% H2O2 and let stand for 10 minutes. Rub in, rinse with clean water and then apply lemon juice and let stand for 10 minutes. Rub and rinse with water.☻ Drain Cleaner - Mix ½ cup H2O2, ½ cup white vinegar, 1 cup salt, 1cup baking soda. Let stand for 15 minutes. Flush with 1 qt. of boiling water followed by hot tap water. Repeat if necessary.☻ Oven Cleaner - Apply paste of vinegar, H2O2 and baking soda with a sponge on oven door and walls. Allow to stand 15 minutes, sponge off with warm water.☻ Left Over Tossed Salad Keeper - rinse off any salad dressing residue. Spray with mixture of ½ cup water and 1 Tbs of H2O2. Rinse off with clean water. Cover and put in refrigerator.☻ Tile and Grout Cleaner - Mix ¼ cup H2O2, 1 cup salt and 1 cup baking soda. Apply with a rag or sponge and use a grout brush to work mix into grout. Rinse with water.☻ Fruit and vegetable wash - Add 1 Tbs. H2O2 to one gallon of water. Soak in solution for 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly. Then soak in clean water for 15 minutes and then drain. (Clean our meat, fish and poultry the same way. Rinse thoroughly.☻ Laundry stains - for ink stains apply the H2O2 with a clean cloth and gently rub on stain. Be careful not to over-saturate. Blot up excess. Rinse with cold water. Blot dry. For perspiration stains - mix ½ cup cold water and ½ of H2O2. Apply and let stand 30 minutes. Place in washer. Add detergent and wash on cold water setting. Do not use on wool, silk, or dry-clean only fabrics.☻ Whitening Old Tennis Shoes - Add 1 cup of H2O2 to final rinse cycle. Let dry in the sun.☻ Mildew Remover - Spray 3% H2O2 on mildew. Then scrub with a paste of equal parts borax and lemon juice and rinse.☻ Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Mix 2 qts. water and 1 cup H2O2. Let stand 30 minutes. Then scrub with brush.☻ Athlete's Foot Fungus and sore feet - After showering in the morning, use a cotton ball to apply H2O2 to affected area. Before bed, wash and dry feet. Add 1 cup H2O2 to foot soak solution of warm water. Soak for 10 or 15 minutes. Do every day until problem clears up.☻ Bath soak to Relax and Ease Aches - Apply H2O2 with a cotton ball directly on aching joint or muscle. Allow to dry. Then add 1 cup baking soda to a tub of warm water and soak.☻ Acne - H2O2 kills dermal bacteria. Use a cotton ball to apply to affected area. Keep away from eyes.☻ Age Spots and Freckles - Mix the juice of ½ squeezed onion and 2 tsp. of vinegar and 1 Tbs. H2O2. Apply lightly.☻ Insect Bites and Bee Stings - Apply H2O2 with a cotton ball to bee stings and insect bites immediately afterwards.☻ Mouthwash and sore throat gargle - put 2 Tbs. in a glass of clean water. Rinse mouth or gargle. Do not swallow the solution. When done rinse mouth with clean water. (Do not use in your mouth if you have porcelain dental work (contains aluminum) or conventional mercury fillings. Mercury and aluminum are toxic and may be released in your system.)☻ House and Garden Plant Stimulator - Mix 1 qt. water and 2 Tbs. H2O2 and place in spray bottle. Apply a light mist to plant.☻ Insecticide - Mix equal parts H2O2 and water in a spray bottle. Spray on plant to control aphids and other insects. If this is not working well enough, mix up a batch consisting of 1 cup H2O2, 1 cup black strap molasses and one gallon of water.☻ Fungus Control In the Garden - Mix 5 Tbs. baking soda, 5 Tbs. H2O2 in one gallon of water and apply.☻ Shower Curtain Cleaner - Place in washing machine with a bath towel with your regular detergent. Add 1 cup H2O2 to rinse cycle.☻ Deodorizer When Pet is Sprayed by a Skunk - Mix ¼ cup baking soda, 1 qt. H2O2 and 1 tsp. Ivory soap. Use this solution to wash your pet and be careful to keep it out of your pet's eyes. Rinse with clean water.☻ Kitchen Cleaner - Keep a spray bottle of H2O2 in the kitchen to keep germs at bay. Label the bottle clearly.☻ Dishwater or Dishwasher Booster and Sanitizer - Add ¼ cup H2O2 to regular detergent. You can also add vinegar for extra action.☻ Food sanitizer - Put H2O2 in a spray bottle and label. Fill another spray bottle with white vinegar and label. Spray foods with each substance and rinse. It does not matter what order you apply them.

07 January, 2009

"...MOXXOR is the most powerful and effective all-natural omega-3 on the planet exclusively from the pure pristine ocean of New Zealand.

Firstly, MOXXOR greenlip mussel oil contains a large range of different fatty acid groups (lipid groups) one of which is the omega-3 family. Within the omega-3 family there are approximately 8 well represented omega-3 structures in both the triglyceride and phospholipids’ forms. Two of these structures are better known than others, namely EPA and DHA.

EPA and DHA are not a measure of how effective a product is. These are just two common figures given by unethical companies in order to convince consumers that their product is the one to buy and use. This is a very simplistic approach that has no scientific merit or basis.

The clinical study on our MOXXOR website comparing common sources of omega-3 shows clearly that the effectiveness of a product has nothing to do with the very simplistic approach of how much EPA and DHA is actually in a product, but rather the synergistic results that both these compounds (EPA and DHA) help to provide combined with a large number of other forms of omega-3s found in the greenlip mussel in the correct ratios and structures. What this means in very specific terms is even though the EPA and DHA aren’t reading as high as one would naturally assume, the wellness benefit experienced and the superior effectiveness is due to the unique combination and structures of omega-3s found in the greenlip mussel. This unique ratio and collection of omega-3 structures are not found in salmon, krill, cod, or anywhere else in nature. Greenlip mussel oil is significantly more effective than any other natural form of omega-3 on the planet.

Results always speak louder than words or figures and if anyone takes the time to research the benefits of using greenlip mussel extract as a source of omega-3s they will be quickly convinced that this is the right approach in comparison to other natural sources of omega-3s.

The reason that MOXXOR provides a superior wellness experience to other products containing greenlip mussel extract is due to a number of steps in the treatment of the raw material and the unique proprietary processes used in MOXXOR’s production. The result of these combined proprietary steps is an extract that contains a lot more "polar" omega-3s, in particular in the phospholipids’ form than any other greenlip mussel extract. These “polar” forms of omega-3s which include the well known DHA and EPA (which can be either “polar” and “non-polar”) have been shown through clinical trials which are published on our website to be more readily available (bio-available) to form the necessary bonds with cells within the human body to provide therapeutic efficacy. MOXXOR greenlip mussel oil has significantly more “polar” omega-3s than other fish oil and greenlip mussel extracts.

This can be seen to be the case in a very simplistic manner with sources of fish oil such as cod and salmon that have undergone a refining process called esterfication that increases the amount of EPA and DHA -synthetically in order to advertise a higher than natural EPA and DHA figure in order to convince the ill-informed consumer that a particular product is superior. The clinical trials have proven that there is less benefit from this product received than from fish oils in their natural state, in fact some countries have banned this process for human consumption on the basis of the poor uptake into the body and the confusion it creates in the market-place.

MOXXOR on the other hand is completely natural with no synthetic adulteration of its natural ingredients and contains two forms of omega-3 oil (greenlip mussel oil and deep-sea marine oil) extracted from two clean natural sources that are sustainable, renewable, and well-managed resources. The greenlip mussel oil extract has clinical trials that prove beyond doubt its efficacy in the most bio-available form possible.

Actions always speak louder than words and the MOXXOR website provides a huge amount of well-written and scientifically based material to provide a well informed purchasing decision."

06 January, 2009

Food manufacturers, responding to consumers who prefer products with natural ingredients, find that antioxidant-rich honey is a healthy alternative to chemical additives and refined sweeteners in commercial salad dressings. A University of Illinois study co-authored by scientist from Kraft Foods and Newlywed Foods monitored the effects of adding honey to salad dressing.

Clover and blueberry honey replaced EDTA (an additive used to keep oils from oxidizing) and high-fructose corn syrup (used to sweeten the recipes). Honeyed dressings were compared to a control dressing that contained these ingredients.

Salad dressings are emulsions—they contain oil and water. To keep these ingredients together in one phase, manufacturers rely on emulsifiers and thickening agents to avoid thinning of the dressing and separation of the oil and water. However, enzymes in the honey broke the emulsion by attacking the starch that was used to thicken the dressing. Scientists added xanthan gum as a thickening agent to all the dressings.

The dressings were stored under various conditions: 37 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for six weeks, and at 23 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit-room temperature) and 4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit-refrigerator temperature) for one year. Dressings were evaluated for their oxidative stability.

After nine months of storage, both types of honey were as effective as EDTA in protecting against oxidation or spoilage. Of 19 honeys with varying characteristics originally considered, clover and blueberry honeys excelled in an analysis of sweetening potential, antioxidant activity, and phenolic profiles. Blueberry honey performed slightly better than clover in the study.

The manufacturers hope that salad dressings made with honey will appeal to consumers.

05 January, 2009

Flu is a highly contagious disease, usually more prevalent in the Winter and Spring. It is spread through discharges from the mouth and nose from infected persons. The influenza virus has great genetic variation, which accounts for the frequent epidemics, caused by different strains of the virus. The main target of the virus is the respiratory system. Flu can be highly dangerous for children, the elderly, or people with a weak immune system.

Symptoms of flu include sudden onset, fever, chills, muscle aches and pain, headache, weakness, and physical and mental exhaustion. Sneezing, coughing, and other symptoms of the common cold are usually present, and intestinal complaints are also very common.

People with the flu require bed rest, a well-balanced diet, and lots of liquids, such as water, homemade Lemonade, vegetable juices, soups, and herbal teas.

For building the immune system and preventing viral infection, these are the essential oils we use. You can buy therapeutic quality oils at Young Living Essential Oils. (Numbers in parentheses are product numbers)

You can use therapeutic grade essential oils topically or internally. For topical application, apply to the bottoms of the feet, the pulse points of the wrist, or to the back, neck, and chest. Since some of these oils are considered "hot" oils, be sure to dilute the essential oils with a carrier, especially if you have sensitive skin.

For internal use (*use only therapeutic grade oils internally, other oils may be toxic*), put 3-5 drops into a vegetable capsule (gel cap) and swallow. Fill the rest of the capsule with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, grapeseed oil, or flaxseed oil. Do this three times per day, for at least a week. You can usually purchase gel caps at any health food store.

If you don't have any gel caps, you can put 1-5 drops of oil in a tablespoon of honey and let it trickle down your throat. The oils are very strong, so start with one drop and work up to the most effective amount for your own body. I prefer this method because it does not involve messing with capsules, and it seems to take effect sooner.

In Europe and England doctors have been prescribing essential oils and herbs as treatment for Infections, Colds and Flu. Some of the essential oils recommended are:

If you have a sore throat, place one drop Melrose Blend (3378) essential oil on your tongue and swallow. Do this every half hour until the pain is gone.

It is important when you come down with an illness to use essential oils correctly. Be aware of any safety precautions, as some essential oils can sting or burn so they need to be diluted.

Diffusing Oils;

When oils are diffused in a home or office, they purify the air itself by removing toxins, metallic particles and other harmful microscopic debris. They also increase the atmospheric oxygen, and boost levels of beneficial ozone and negative ions which dramatically inhibit the growth and reproduction of airborne pathogens. Further, as the odorous molecules drift to the various surfaces of each room they rapidly kill virtually all pathogenic bacteria, rifles, molds and fungi they come into contact with. And lastly, they completely destroy odors from mold, cigarettes, household pets and more.

Perhaps the most popular and effective method of diffusing oils is to buy a product called a Diffuser (4456), which sprays an ultra-fine mist of the essential oil of your choice into the air. The millions of misted particles sprayed from a diffuser are so fine they can hang in the air of your house literally for hours, spreading from room to room via the normal air circulation that occurs as you walk through your house.

So diffusing puts the oils into the atmosphere in your home. You're getting increased oxygen because it releases the oxygenating molecules, you're getting increased ozone and negative ions because that's where it comes from in nature, from the plant oils.

*** VERY IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT DIFFUSING OILS:

Whatever you do, DO NOT HEAT YOUR OILS. Keep them around room temperature. Heating the essential oils will not only ruin the therapeutic value of the oil, but it can also harm you. Research shows that high temperatures will change the chemistry. This changed chemistry can be toxic to the human body.

This is simply basic organic chemistry 101. If you want to fragrance a room and obtain health benefits, use a cold air diffuser (4456). Do not use a light bulb ring diffuser or burn oils with fire from a candle.

Quality

I went to a well known body care store and found the oils that were labeled "Pure Essential Oils." In very small print, on an attached card, was this statement, "Lavender essential oil diluted to a 2% solution."

That 15ml bottle contained 6 drops of lavender oil and the rest grape seed oil. That is a 2% solution!!! The bottle sold for $10.00. A 15ml bottle of lavender essential oil contains about 300 drops and usually costs between $20.00 to $30.00. My experience further cemented my faith in Young Living Essential Oils as being a honest, dependable source of quality oils.

You can use many of the herbs as teas instead of, or along with the oils.

04 January, 2009

A good night's sleep is essential for your health. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day to wake up refreshed and energized. It is best not to need an alarm clock to wake you up. Adjust your bedtime until you wake up naturally just before your alarm clock goes off. If you are a dyed-in-the-wool night owl, note your current bedtime. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier every 3 days until you have the right balance.

A power down hour helps to ensure a good night's sleep. One hour before bedtime, prepare your body for rest:

☻ Get away from the computer or TV. The video display 'excites' your brain cells, so they have a harder time shutting down.☻ Spend 20 minutes doing light chores that must be done so you will sleep better (pack book bags, make lunches, do NOT do heavy cleaning).☻ Spend 20 minutes on personal hygiene☻ Spend 20 minutes reading or meditating. If you read before bedtime, it is better to read with a book light so you are not exposed to bright light before sleeping.

If you only have 30 minutes, do each of these activities for 10 minutes.

Science has shown that having a TV or computer in your bedroom interferes with sleep. Even when they are turned off, they emit a negative sound and disrupt sleep and energy levels. Bedrooms should be a place of peaceful retreat to support quality sleep.

Adults require between 5-10 hours of sleep a night, teens need 8 to 12 hours, children need 10 or more, depending on their age. You will need to discover the proper amount for your body. A recent study from the United Kingdom reports that the lower the number of hours you sleep, the higher the likelihood you will put on extra weight, the higher your chances of having a stroke, and your immune system will be out of balance - leading to yeast overgrowth, allergies, and even cancer.

Check this article for a good overview of the benefits of sufficient sleep.